System and method for configuring media services

ABSTRACT

A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/866,872, filed Jan. 10, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/528,545 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,900,647) filed Oct.30, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/754,809 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,231), filed May 29, 2007. Allsections of the aforementioned application(s) and patent(s) areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media services and morespecifically to a system and method for configuring media services.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), consumers may receiveand manage media programming functions such as video and/or music ondemand from an IPTV set-top box (STB) receiver, computer, digitaltelephone system, or other computing device. The IPTV STB receiver canalso be used for digital video recording (DVR) and to managementpersonal media files such as picture albums and family movies. IPTVdevices, however, are not readily manageable when the consumer is intransit.

A need therefore arises for a system and method for configuring mediaservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)media system;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of the IPTVmedia system;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal of the IPTV mediasystem;

FIGS. 4-5 depicts other exemplary methods operating in portions of theIPTV media system; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Broadly stated, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosureprovide a system and method for configuring media services.

In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readablestorage medium can have computer instructions for detecting aninstallation of a media receiver in an Internet Protocol Television(IPTV) media system, and directing a portal responsive to said detectedinstallation to create a derivative account.

In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a portal can have acontroller element to detect an installation of a media receiver in anIPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of said portal accordingto said installation.

In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, an IPTV media receivercan have a controller element to generate a notice of installation for aportal to adapt to an installation of the IPTV media receiver.

In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, a gateway can have acontroller element to submit a notice of installation associated with anIPTV media receiver coupled to the gateway for a portal to adapt to theinstallation.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an IPTV media system 100. In atypical IPTV infrastructure, there is at least one super head officeserver (SHS) which receives national media programs from satelliteand/or media servers from service providers of multimedia broadcastchannels. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices(VHO) according to a common multicast communication method. The VHS thendistributes multimedia broadcast programs to commercial and/orresidential buildings 102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., a residentialgateway or RG). The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to mediareceivers 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast selections to media devices 108 such as computers ortelevision units managed in some instances by a media controller 107(e.g., an infrared or RF remote control).

Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the media receivers 106and subsystems of the IPTV media system 100 for services such asvideo-on-demand (VoD). Although not shown, the aforementioned multimediasystem can also be combined with analog or digital broadcastdistributions systems such as cable systems.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 is depicted for adapting a portal 230(see also FIG. 3) of the IPTV media system 100 responsive to aninstallation of a media receiver 106 in said system. It should be notedthat the method 200 can be practiced with more or less steps than thoseshown. The portal 230 can be a website managed by the service providerof the IPTV media system 100 or by a third-party contracted by saidservice provider (e.g., google.com, etc.). The portal 230 can bepublicized by common web services means operating in the computingsystem 130 of FIG. 1. The computing system 130 can be a common webserver interconnected at various subsystems of the IPTV media system 100shown in FIG. 1, and accessible by the public internet 132 of aninternet service provider (ISP).

The portal 230 can be programmed to establish a derivative account foreach subscriber of the IPTV media system 100. Each derivative accountcan be selectively managed by subscribers using a unique login andpassword. The derivative account provides each subscriber of the IPTVmedia system 100 a customizable web access account which can be accessedfrom the public internet 132 using internet-capable communicationdevices such as cell phones and computers while in building 102, orwhile in transit using wireless communication techniques (e.g., WiMAX,WiFi, software defined radio, cellular communications such as CDMAEV/DO, GSM GPRS, UMTS, and so on).

With these principles in mind, in step 210, a subsystem of the IPTVmedia system 100 can be programmed by common means to detect aninstallation of the media receiver 106 in building 102. A subsystem ofIPTV media system 100 in the present context can mean one or morenetwork elements shown in the IPTV network of FIG. 1 (e.g., SHS, VHO,VHS, or LAN), portions of computing system 130, the gateway 104, themedia receiver 106 being installed, or portions of combinations thereof.

For example, when a user first installs the media receiver 106 inbuilding 102, the gateway 104 can determine that a new media receiverhas been added to its network after power cycling said receiver. Thegateway 104 can be programmed to then inform the portal 230 of saidinstallation by transmitting an installation notice to computing system130. For purposes of illustration, references made about the portal 230such as in the preceding sentence will by definition infer the use ofcomputing system 130. In another arrangement, the media receiver 106 candetect and report a self-installation to the gateway 104 or the portal230. In yet another arrangement, the portal 230 can be programmed todetect the installation of the media receiver 106 by polling gateways104 in buildings 102 for updates to their network.

At step 220, the computing system 130 can be programmed to automaticallyconfigure the portal 230 with a content module 240 in response to theinstallation detected in step 210. Alternatively, the portal 230 can beadapted with one or more content modules 240 as directed by the mediareceiver 106, the gateway 104, or any other subsystem of the IPTV mediasystem 100. From these various embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan of ordinary skill in the art that adaptation of one or morederivative accounts of the portal 230 can be managed by the portal, byone or more other subsystems of the IPTV media system 100, orcombinations thereof.

A content module 240 can be selected by the portal 230 from a group ofcontent modules stored in its database or some other storage device inthe IPTV media system 100. Content modules can serve the purpose ofmanaging one or more functions of the media receiver 106, one or moreaccessories coupled to the media receiver (e.g., DVR, audio system,lighting system, etc.), and/or one or more services supplied from or tothe media receiver. A content module can represent a specializedgraphical user interface (GUI) in the form of selectable hypertext or aGUI button included in a general GUI (e.g., home page) of a derivativeaccount of the portal 230. In the case where two or more subscribers areassociated with the newly installed media receiver 106 (e.g., two ormore users sharing an STB in a multi-user household), one or morecontent modules 240 can be added to the derivate accounts created by theportal 230 for each subscriber.

A content module 240 can represent a group of computer instructionsoperated by the portal 230 to control for example a built-in DVRfunction of a media receiver 106. The content module 240 in thisinstance can provide the subscriber of the media receiver 106 a GUIinterface with selectable GUI controls for managing DVR functionsremotely via their derivative portal account.

In another embodiment, a content module 240 can be used for managingpersonal media (e.g., family pictures or videos, etc.) stored in themedia receiver 106 by way of a GUI interface. Yet another content module240 can have a GUI with selectable controls for managing music filesstored in the media receiver 106 or an accessory coupled thereto. TheGUIs of these content modules can provide additional controls forconfiguring file sharing privileges between subscribers. Another contentmodule 240 can have a GUI with selectable controls for viewing anelectronic programming guide (EPG), viewing video on demand (VoD) ormusic on demand (MoD) catalogs and selecting one or more media programsfor later viewing, adjusting parental controls, or managing otherservices supplied to or by the media receiver 106.

In summary, a repository can be created to store any number of contentmodules 240 at the portal 230 or in a storage device of anothersubsystem in the IPTV media system 100. The portal 230 can thus presentin step 220 one or more content modules 240 selected from thisrepository in the derivative account of the subscriber for the purposesof providing subscribers remote access for controlling and managingoperations of any media subsystem in building 102 without physicalco-location required. The content modules 240 can be predefined toaddress interoperability issues between different models of mediareceivers 106 and accessories coupled thereto. The gateway 104 can beconfigured to provide secure access to the portal 230 using a designatedport for portal access, or an SSL, VPN, or like secure connection to thegateway.

A content module 240 therefore can provide configuration access to anunderlying media function, operation, or service. The content modules240 presented in a derivative account by the portal 230 offer a portablecommunication device (e.g., laptop, PDA, cell phone) accessing theportal through the public internet 132 direct, two-way, real-timeinteractions with media subsystems, such as a set-top box of a homeentertainment system.

A service provider of the portal 230 can therefore offer derivativeaccounts to manage telephone, IPTV, broadband, Internet, or cableservices supplied by the IPTV media system 100. The service provider ofthe portal 230 can be a media broadcast distributor (e.g. AT&T, Comcast)of IPTV media system 100 or a contracted third-party portal provider(e.g. Google, etc.). A content module 240 as noted earlier can beautomatically configured and placed in a user's derivative portalaccount in response to an installation of the media receiver 106, ordetection of an accessory (e.g., DVR) coupled to the media receiver 106.The self-adaptation of the portal 230 removes the cumbersome task ofrequiring subscribers to manually configure their portal derivativeaccount for remote management of the media subsystems in building 102.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method 400 for directing a configuration of atleast a portion of the portal 230 is presented. Method 400 begins withstep 402 in which one among a gateway 104, computing system 130, orportal 230 detect an installation of a media receiver 106 in building102. Alternatively, the media receiver 106 being installed canproactively partake in the detection step by generating a self-awareinstallation notice. In yet another arrangement, the portal 230 pollsthe gateway 104 or the media receiver 106 for installation statusinformation. At step 404, the gateway 104 or the media receiver 106transmits an installation notice to the portal 230.

At step 406, the portal 230 can report the installation to systemsmanaging the content modules, provisioning systems of IPTV media system100, and/or other subsystems of the media system requesting notificationof a detected installation. Once the notice of installation has beenreceived, at step 408, the portal 230 checks whether it recognizes themedia receiver 106. The notice of installation can include anidentification of the media receiver 106 along with subscriptioninformation associated with a service supplied by, or to, the mediareceiver 106 along with accessories detected by the media receiver thatcan be controlled thereby. The identification can be a serial number, aphysical address, a MAC address, a model number, an encrypted code, orany other signature mark of the media receiver 106 and accessoriescoupled thereto. If the media receiver 106 is not recognized accordingto the aforementioned identification data or subscriber information, theportal 230 ignores the request and proceeds to step 402 where it awaitsfor notices of installation from other devices.

Upon recognizing the media receiver 106, at step 410, the portal 230 canidentify one or more content modules 240 compatible with the mediareceiver 106, services associated therewith, and accessories coupledthereto. For example, a content module 240 can be selected by the portal230 for controlling DVR functions of the media receiver 106 aspreviously mentioned. Another content module 240 can be selected by theportal 230 for managing personal media files. Yet another content module240 can be selected by the portal 230 for viewing EPG, VoD and MoDcatalogs, and so on.

In one embodiment, at step 412, the portal 230 can also retrievesubscription information when none is provided by the media receiver106. The subscription information can be retrieved from a provisioningsystem of the IPTV media system 100 that manages and records mediaservices subscribed to by each user of the media receiver 106. Forillustration purposes, said provisioning system can operate as yetanother functional component of computing system 130. The subscriberinformation can identify services currently available or offered to themedia receiver 106. In another embodiment, at step 414, the accountprovisioning system can direct the portal 230 to create the derivativeaccount based on known subscriber information. The subscriber accountcan identify the subscriber and any services or features to which thesubscriber has subscribed.

At step 416, the portal 230 can be adapted with the one or more contentmodules identified in step 410 responsive to the detected installation.At step 418, the portal 230 can be programmed to present one or more GUIelements for each content modules 240 selected in step 410. Based onuser preferences supplied by the subscriber or subscriber interactionsdetected by the portal 230 while the subscriber browses his or heraccount, the portal can be directed to remove, replace, or modify atleast one of the content modules 240 configured automatically by theportal. The portal 230 can also receive a directive from the subscriberto add other content modules 240 selected by said subscriber from theportal as optional content modules. These content modules can be modulesnot automatically installed, but which the subscriber can select form adrop down menu presented by the portal 230 to augment features toremotely access and manage the media receiver 106, accessories coupledthereto, or other subsystems of IPTV media system 100.

Moreover, some content modules can be customized in steps 420-422 by thesubscriber if desired by common GUI controls supplied with said modulesfor adaptation according to user preferences. The subscriber can forexample configure one or more of the content modules 240 according toadjustable settings, services, or features supplied by the contentmodule. In another arrangement, the portal 230 can customize the contentmodule 240 for presentation on different portable communication devicesof the subscriber. For example, the portal 230 can be programmed topresent a content module 240 with a different look and feel on a cellphone than on a laptop computer to accommodate differences in displaysize and controls.

At step 422, the portal 230 is adapted with the content modulesconfigured by the subscriber. The adaptation of the portal 230 canresult from the content modules added in step 416 being removed,modified or supplemented with new content modules selected by thesubscriber. In yet another arrangement, the portal 230 can supportdetachable GUIs associated with the content modules 240 thereby allowingthe subscriber to move said modules around in a web page of thesubscriber's account. In this embodiment, the subscriber can customizetheir home web page.

From step 422, the portal 230 can provide a subscriber in step 424remote access to operations of the media receiver 106 with the contentmodule 240. An operation of the media receiver 106 can include broadcastchannel programming, electronic program guide (EPG) viewing, mediaprogram catalog processing, media file processing, media on demandprogramming, parental control programming, and digital video recorder(DVR) programming, among other operational features.

The content modules 240 can also manage in step 426 services supplied bythe IPTV media system 100 to the media receiver 106, and/or one or moreaccessories coupled to the media receiver. For example, an accessory maybe a portable music player, handheld personal digital assistant, homestereo, fax machine, or copier. A content module can be supplied in theportal 230 for each accessory managed through the media receiver 106.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method 500 for provisioning media services isprovided. The method 500 can be practiced with more or less than thenumber of steps shown. Moreover, the steps of the method 500 are notlimited to the ordering shown. At step 510, a subsystem of the IPTVmedia system 100 such as the gateway 104 can monitor the installation ofmedia receivers 106. For example, the gateway 104 can continually checkfor the installation of media receivers 106 in its network.Alternatively, the portal 230 can perform a similar task by polling thegateway 104 or the media receiver 106 for installation information.

At step 520, the gateway 104 detects by common means that a mediareceiver 106 has been installed. For example, upon installation, themedia receiver 106 can broadcast its presence to the gateway 104 and/orother subsystems of the IPTV media system 100 and thereby request mediaservices. At step 530, the portal 230 can respond to a notice ofinstallation provided by the gateway 104 or media receiver 106 byestablishing communications with the media receiver 106 through thegateway. The gateway 104 can have a firewall feature to limit remoteaccess to the media receiver 106. The portal 230 can be provided in step540 a protected and limited communication link (“a pinhole”) through thegateway's firewall to the media receiver 106. The opened communicationchannel provides a means for remote access applications that can be usedto manage operations and services of the media receiver 106 according toa select content module 240 definition. At Step 550, the gateway 104 canalso open IP ports for remote access applications associated with one ormore content modules 240 to manage services, expose diagnosticinformation or perform automatic software updates.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, there are conceivablymany other content modules 240 not described in the present disclosurewhich can be developed by the service provider of the IPTV media system100 or the service provider of the portal 230 for controlling ormanaging operations and services supplied to or provided by the mediareceiver 106.

Additionally, the portal 230 can be programmed to provide the subscribera tool kit for developing customized content modules 240 that canperform tasks not yet conceived by service providers of the IPTV mediasystem 100 or portal 230. In another arrangement, the media receiver 106can represent other mobile or immobile communication devices (e.g.,desktop computer, VoIP phone, etc.) with capabilities to receive andprocess media programs supplied thereto by the IPTV media system 100.The processed media programs can be presented at said communicationdevice or supplied to a media device (e.g., a television or monitor)coupled thereto. These communication devices can also be managed by theportal 230 as accessories by means described earlier.

In yet another arrangement, agents of the IPTV media system 100 canperform service updates to the media receiver 106 without deployingfield technicians. Service updates can involve enabling features which asubscriber has requested (e.g., DVR, HDTV, HBO, etc.). The serviceupdate can in turn prompt the media receiver 106 to submit aninstallation notice to the gateway 104 or the portal 230 to inform it ofthese new services. That in turn can prompt the portal 230 to install anew set of content modules 240 to the derivative account of eachsubscriber associated with the media receiver 106.

These are but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor 602 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each othervia a bus 608. The computer system 600 may further include a videodisplay unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system600 may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generationdevice 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 620.

The disk drive unit 616 may include a machine-readable medium 622 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 624)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 624may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within the processor 602during execution thereof by the computer system 600. The main memory 604and the processor 602 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 624, or that which receives and executes instructions 624from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 626 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 626 using the instructions 624. Theinstructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over a network626 via the network interface device 620.

While the machine-readable medium 622 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: creating a derivative account associated with asubscriber account associated with an interactive media system uponreceiving a notification of an installation of a media receiver of theinteractive media system, wherein the derivative account comprises acustomizable web access account based on the subscriber account andservices of the interactive media system; and providing a graphical userinterface to remotely manage a plurality of functions of the mediareceiver through the customizable web access account according to thederivative account.
 2. The non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium of claim 1, wherein the customizable web access account enablescontrol of a function of the media receiver by a communication device ofthe subscriber account.
 3. The non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium of claim 2, wherein a portion of the derivative account comprisesone of selectable options comprising one of broadcast channelprogramming, electronic program guide viewing, media program catalogprocessing, media file processing, media on demand programming, parentalcontrol programming, or digital video recorder programming.
 4. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein thegraphical user interface accesses one of a plurality of functions of themedia receiver, a plurality of accessories coupled to the mediareceiver, or a plurality of services supplied to or by the mediareceiver.
 5. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise configuring a portionof the derivative account with a content module.
 6. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the content modulecomprises a group of content modules for managing a plurality offunctions of the media receiver, a plurality of accessories coupled tothe media receiver, and a plurality of services supplied to the mediareceiver.
 7. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the installation of the media receiver comprises one ofa first time installation, an installation subsequent to the first timeinstallation, a software update invoked by the media receiver, asoftware update invoked by a subsystem of the interactive media system,or a remote update applied to the media receiver by an agent of theinteractive media system.
 8. The non-transitory, machine-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein the media receiver comprises aset-top box managed in part by a media controller for presenting mediaprograms to a media device.
 9. The non-transitory, machine-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprisereceiving, from one of the media receiver and a gateway coupled thereto,the notification of the installation.
 10. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the notification ofthe installation comprises one of an identification of the mediareceiver or the subscriber account.
 11. A portal, comprising: aprocessing system including a processor; and a memory, coupled to theprocessing system, that stores executable instructions and that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: creating a derivative account for a subscriber account of asubscriber of media services supplied to a media receiver by aninteractive media system responsive to a detection of a notification ofa power cycling of the media receiver, wherein the derivative accountcomprises a customizable web access account based on subscriberinformation related to the media receiver and to the interactive mediasystem; and accessing the media receiver from a remote location througha web server via a graphical user interface to remotely manage aplurality of functions of the media receiver through the customizableweb access account, wherein the graphical user interface is providedaccording to the subscriber account.
 12. The portal of claim 11, whereinthe operations further comprise receiving the notification of the powercycling from one of the media receiver, a gateway coupled to the mediareceiver, and a subsystem of the interactive media system, wherein thesubsystem of an interactive media system comprises one of a video headserver, a video head office server, or a super head office server. 13.The portal of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:identifying a content module associated with the media receiver; andconfiguring a portion of the portal with the content module.
 14. Theportal of claim 13, wherein the content module comprises a group ofcontent modules for managing a plurality of functions of the mediareceiver, a plurality of accessories coupled to the media receiver, anda plurality of services supplied to the media receiver.
 15. The portalof claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise providingindividual content modules for each subscriber of a plurality ofsubscribers associated with the media receiver to individually manage aplurality of functions of the media receiver, a plurality of accessoriescoupled to the media receiver, and a plurality of services supplied tothe media receiver.
 16. The portal of claim 11, wherein the notificationof the power cycling is responsive to a determination that the mediareceiver is performing a first time installation, and wherein theinstallation of the media receiver comprises one of a first timeinstallation, an installation subsequent to the first time installation,a software update invoked by the media receiver, a software updateinvoked by a subsystem of the interactive media system, or a remoteinstallation update applied to the media receiver by an agent of theinteractive media system.
 17. A method, comprising: creating, by aprocessing system comprising a processor, responsive to a notice ofinstallation responsive to a power cycling of a media receiver, a portaladapted to an installation of the media receiver a derivative accountbased on subscription information associated with the media receiver;and providing, by the processing system, remote access of the mediareceiver through the portal to remotely manage a plurality of functionsof the media receiver through the derivative account.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: adapting, by the processing system, aportion of said portal according to said subscription information; andsubmitting the notice of installation to a gateway coupled to the mediareceiver, wherein the gateway submits the notice of installation to oneof the portal and a media system that provides services to the mediareceiver.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the installation of themedia receiver comprises one of a first time installation, aninstallation subsequent to the first time installation, a softwareupdate invoked by the media receiver, a software update invoked by asubsystem of a media system, or a remote update performed on the mediareceiver by an agent of the media system.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising configuring a portion of the derivative account witha content module, wherein the content module comprises a group ofcontent modules for managing a plurality of functions of the mediareceiver, a plurality of accessories coupled to the media receiver, anda plurality of services supplied to the media receiver.